Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1887-06-09
WASHINGTON leTreR.
IFrom our Regular Corre>rcndens.l
WASHINGTON, May 2sth, 1887.

Nothing could be more significant OF
the fact that the war is Oser than
some of the sights that may be seen
in Washington today. Soldiers from
and Minnesota, from Mas
and Texas, are walking
around arm in arm, in a. peaceful cap
ture Of the city. Twent-five or even
twenty years ago no one would have
dared to predict such a scene at the
national capital in 1887.
Nothing more eloquently or impress
sivcly marks the changes which have
been wrought in the relations OF the
SECTIONS or the progress which the
country has made towards a perma-
nent restoration of the union, than
the prsence here of thousands of the
sons OF veterans OF both armies, from
North and South, encampcd under the
same flag and engaged in fraternal
competitions for military honors.
TO most of the militia encamped UNI
der the Washington monument now
the civil war is only an unhappy tra-
dition, and they emulate each other
in patriotic devotion to the nations
flag. Their presence on the Potomac
is truly auspicious, and all OF them
share title of guardians Of the nation.
The ceremony Of opening the camp
on Monday last was brief. but it was
performed reverently and with all due
pomp. About noon the Washington
Light Infantry, headed by band,
marched up and formed IL hollow
square around the flag staff. At the
foot oft rolled uplay the big ilhg ready
to fly to the breeze. Gen. Anger, the
commanlant Of the camp, a'rompan-
led by certain generals, colonies, cap
tains and Chaplain Pyne then appear
cd. The chaplain stepped into the
open space and offered an appropriate
prayer, at the conclusion of which the
flag was hauled into position while the
band played "The Star spanglel Ban
ner' and the troops saluted the col
ors. The commandlant then issued
orders governing the camp and move
ment OF the troops during the drill.
There is different programme fol
each day Of the drill, though each day
there are competitive drills by the
infantry, artillery and zouaves. and
each day there is a ttress~paraslc al
five O'Clock in the afternoon. Oh
Wednesday all Washington. apparent
ly, was out of doors to see a brilliant
street parade by the soldiers in ful
uniform. who made a tour Of "A small
portion OF the city after they had bee,
reviewed by the President. The scen'
was IL very brilliant one. The presi
dent, surrounded by the governors o
different states and their statfs, Will
many other prominent men, occupic'
a grand stand erected for the p,irpos
in front OF the White House on Penn
sylvania avenue. The day was perfec
for pagantry. the discipline and march
ing OF many OF the organizations yer
fine, and the uniforms snowy am
striking.
There is IA large crowd OF visitors
the city and the camp affords so int,
estimg II sight to them as well as toll
citizens. that the policemen ha,
quite as much as they can do to col
troll the curious surging mass ofpeop
which literally overruns the groun'
Military discipline is in force. howeve
and as far as the soldiers are concerne'
everything moves in order. Still son
of the lads thought it WAS more pra
tical than funny, when, on Te,isla
night they were required to do guar
duty in the pouring rain.
This reminds ME that the princil,
event mt the drill ground Tuesday WI
q terrific storm, which unrOOfed Il
grand stand, and filled the crowd vii
!. CONSERVATION. besides drenching il
g the skin, and causing some serious ac'
!. dents in the way OF broken limbs.
u was in the afternoon while the comp.
itive drills werei in progress. sudden
the sky grew dark and in Il moment
!. cyclone Developed which blew a eliot
of dust and sand in the ,lire,tion
the grand stand until the Washinet'
Monument itself was hardly visil
In u moment more there was dow
pour OF rain which WAS equally bin
ing.
For a little while the scene that !,
, lowed was indcscribable. The graz
. stand swayed like a reed in the ter
BILE gale, and the crash and noise
the flying roof made the already pan
stricken crowd feel sure that the sta
was giving way under them. Sever
OF the carriages waiting on the dri
outside when the roof was carried
were smashed by flying planks n
!. timbers, and others were saved
the horses taking fright and runnl
away. Telegraph wires were torn frt
n their bearings, umbrellas were hoist
only to be wrecked, people seized cha
and held them over themselves III tn
efforts to ward OIL "a little of the pc
ing rain. Women and children shrek